Back in the Game

Stardust, Texas, Book 1

By: Lori Wilde

Narrated by: C. J. Critt

New York Times best-selling author Lori Wilde welcomes you to Stardust, Texas... where dreams come true and love is always right around the corner.

Wanted: ghostwriter. Must be female, a baseball fan, and have a great pair of legs.

Ex-pitcher Rowdy Blanton never saw a woman he couldn't conquer or a team he couldn't beat. And now that he's off the field he's ready to tell all about when he played the field. So he chooses Breeanne Carlyle to do the job - she's got the requirements, but more important, there's something about her that makes him want to be a better man.

Convinced there's more to Rowdy than a good fastball, a wicked smile, and a tight pair of pants, Breeanne can't help but be tempted. After all, it's boring always being the good girl, and Rowdy dares her to be just a little bad. The stakes are high, but win or lose, this time Breeanne's breaking all the rules playing the game of love.

©2015 Laurie Vanzura (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

Exciting

What did you love best about Back in the Game?

The storyline of how she captivated him but he respected her

What other book might you compare Back in the Game to and why?

Not sure

What about C. J. Critt’s performance did you like?

The variance in the voices,

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Unexpected love

Love!

Thank you Lori Wilde for writing such beautiful visionary stories. C.J. Critt did an awesome job, as always. I can’t wait to listen to the next one!

Just okay...

Fantastic proposal--leans on the too good to be true side, but definitely dreamy. I liked the idea behind this one--the former ballplayer with the deep, dark secret and the mousy ghostwriter who he inexplicably chooses to write his autobiography--but felt the execution was somewhat lacking. Breanne was over-the-top with the sweet and innocent virgin bit, and Rowdy...well, his almost two-month plan for taking her virginity was just silly, if he was truly not planning on having a real relationship with her. Why else would three whole weeks be spent on just kissing? That's definitely not a "we're just having sex" plan. The mystical bent--the maybe-magical hope chest that may or may not have brought the two together--was an interesting twist. That at least has me interested to see what it'll do for Jodi, the sister that Breanne gifted the chest to at the end.

I really wasn't crazy about the narration on this one. She had different voices for Rowdy and Breanne, but didn't always remember when to use which one. We'd be in Rowdy's head and she'd say something in her Breanne voice, and vice versa. It threw me out of the story temporarily every time.

Verdict: Okay, but not great. 3 stars / C-

Nice Quite Romance

What made the experience of listening to Back in the Game the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the little bit of magic add to the story and how it looks like it is going to be shared with the four sisters. I also love how when he saw her scars he didn't turn away but found her more interesting. His actual growth in the book was great and so was her but I have to say I enjoyed his changes more.

What about C. J. Critt’s performance did you like?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I really look forward to the next sisters story but I have to say I hope it does have a little more of a story behind the box it self.

Not For Me

What would have made Back in the Game better?

I didn't enjoy it at all.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I will try another author and narrator.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator's voice and delivery was a little chirpy for the lovemaking scenes.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I thought, Oh my goodness, I can't believe I am listening to this silly book.

Any additional comments?

I love Audible books, but this one was not for me.